A New York judge on Monday prohibited former President Donald Trump from publicly distributing evidence tied to his Manhattan criminal indictment, including on social media platforms like Trump’s own Truth Social, after prosecutors argued the former president could misuse documents or put court staff at “considerable safety risk.”
Former President Donald Trump sits with his attorneys during his arraignment at the Manhattan ... [+]
The protective order by Judge Juan Merchan said any evidence provided to Trump’s lawyers by prosecutors can only be used to help the former president prepare a defense, and Trump can only view evidence in his attorneys’ presence.
Trump was barred from sharing evidence on a litany of social media sites, including mainstream platforms as well as Truth Social, a site controlled by Trump Media & Technology Group that the former president has frequently used to criticize prosecutors.
Merchan also said the Manhattan district attorney can redact the names of office staffers until jury selection—not including prosecutors and some other personnel.
Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Catherine McCraw asked Merchan to restrict Trump’s access to information two weeks ago, citing Trump’s “longstanding and perhaps singular history of attacking witnesses, investigators, prosecutors, trial jurors, grand jurors, judges and others involved in legal proceedings against him.”
Forbes has reached out to Trump’s office for comment.
This is a developing story; it will be updated.